Riding-cultivator.



Patented Oct. 2:,19n2 ..,v

S. H. TlNsMAN. mums GULTIVATOB." (Application filed Jan. 18, 1901.)

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no. 7||,747. Patented Oct. 2|, I902.

' s. H. TINSMAN;

RIDING CULTIVATOR.

(Application filed Jan. 18, 1901.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets8heat 2.

No. 7ll,747. Patented Oct. 2|, I902.

S. H. 'TINSMAN.

- .RID ING CULTIVATDR.

(Applipation filed Jan. 18, 1901.)

3 Sheets-Shaat 3.

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL H. TINSMAN, OF ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE ROCK I ISLAND PLOW' OOMPA'NY, OF ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

'Rl DING-CU LTlVATO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 711,747, dated October 21, 1902. Application filed January 18,1901. b'erialNo. 43,798. iNomod L To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL H. TINSMAN, of Rock Island, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Riding-Onltivators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in riding-cultivators of that type wherein the driver, seated upon the machine, guides'the pair of cultivators either by means of his feet or hands or using both in conjunction.

Among the salient objects of the invention are to provide amachine of the balanced type or one wherein the lifting of the plows is aided by the weight of the driver, and, vice versa, the lowering of the plows and return of the frame to its normal position are accomplished both by the weight of the plows and the draft of the team upon the machine; to provide a construction in which the plows are so hung or supported from the frame as to swing laterally in a straight horizontalplane as distinguished from a downwardly and upwardly curved or dipping movement, as has heretofore been usual in plows of this general character; to provide means for supporting and interconnecting the pair of plows whereby they may be moreconvenientlyand easily guided in operation by the feet of the driver and when desired may be likewise guided, either alone or in conjunction with the feet, by means of the hand; to provide improved means for lifting and lowering the plows so constructed and arranged that the plows maybe either simultaneously or independently raised orv lowered and at the same time guided by means of the same levers whereby they are being thus raised or lowered; to so mount the operating-levers that the latter may be swung upon vertical axes, thus enablingthe operator to conveniently maintain hishold upon the levers while shifting his body to one side or the other as, for example, when guiding the plows by means of the feet; to provide improvements in the construction and arrangement of the several frame members contributing to the strength, rigidity, and ease of manipulation of the machine, and, in general, to provide a simplified and improved machine of the character referred to.

To these ends the invention consists in the matters hereinafter described, and more particularlypointed outin the appended claims, and the same will be readily understood from the following description, reference being had 5 5 to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of the machine embodying my invention, the front end of the tongue being broken off to reduce the size of the figure and changed position of the parts being indicated in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a rear end elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail side elevation with the mainframe arch in transverse section of one of the swinging plow-frame supports and connected parts. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a the parts shown inFig. 3. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail, in side elevation, of the front end of one of the plows and rocking cranksleeve with which the latter is connected. 70 Fig. 6 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7' 7 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line 8 8 of Fig. 2.

Referring to said drawings, 1 designates as a whole a main cross-shaft provided at each end with downwardlyextending axlearms 2, upon the outer ends of which are journaled the main supporting-wheels 3, and provided also at points intermediate of its length with a similar pair of downwardly and forwardly extending arms 4, terminating in outturned supporting-shafts or wrist portions 5, the main shaft and the pair of arms 2 described forming the main arch or frame of the cultivator. The arms 2 are sleeved upon the ends of the shaft 1 by means of suitable castings 5, so as to be capable of oscillation thereon, and are confined against endwise movement upon the shaft by means of collars 6, which are led into said sleeves at points intermediate of their length, so as to embrace the main shaft, and are fixed upon the latter by means of set-screws 7. The 5 arms 4 are connected with the main shaft 1 by means of sleeve-castings 8, generally similar to the castings 5, but said arms are, however, rigid with said main shaft.

- Upon the wrist or shaft portion 5 of each arm 4: is loosely mounted a crank-sleeveQ, held from endwise movement by means of a suitable cotter or pin 10 and provided at its link 12 is connected with the arm 2 by means of a clip 13, which is capable of adjustment up and down the arm for a purpose to be hereinafter explained.

14 14 designate the plow-frames proper, each of which is provided at its front end with a yoke-like casting 15, the arms whereof are arranged vertically, one above the other, and between said arms is secured a pivotcasting 16 by means of a vertical throughbolt 17. The front end of the pivot-casting 16, as best shown in detail, Fig. 6, is provided with a collar portion 18, which fits upon the crank-sleeve 9, and in order to fix said collar 18 rigidly upon said sleeve the latter is provided with a spline-groove 19, which is engaged by a set-screw 20, inserted through the top side of the collar 18, the arrangement being such that the collar maybe adjusted longitudinally of the sleeve to vary the distance between the pair of cultivatorframes. The connection of the plow with the pivot-casting 16 by means of the throughbolt 17 obviously permits the plow to oscillate in a horizontal plane, while the rigid connection of the casting with the cranksleeve in the manner described obviously imparts a positive oscillation of the sleeve upon its supporting-shaft when the plow is raised or lowered, and thus through the medium of the crank-arm 11 and link 12 forces the archarm 2, carrying the main supporting-wheel, rearwardly or forwardly, as the case may be.

21 designates the tongue of the machine, which is secured at its rear end to the top side of the main shaft 1 by means of a suitable clip, and 22 designates the doubletree, secured to the tongue in the usual manner at a point some distance in front of the main shaft. With each end of the doubletree is connected a vertically-extending singletreebar 23, with the lower end of which is connected a draft link or bar 24, which extends rearwardly to and is connected with the main arm 2 at a point near the lower end of the latter by means of a clip 25, which is similar to the clip 13 and likewise adjustable upon said arm. The singletree 26 is connected with the singletree-bar 23 at a point intermediate of the length of the latter by means of suitable connection 27. In order to unite the main frame and the tongue rigidly, a pair of brace-bars 28 are arranged to extend at each side from a point on the tongue near the point where the doubletree is mounted thereon rearwardly to the under side of the main shaft 1, to which latter said bars are connected rigidly by means of suitable castings 29, and similarly a pair of truss-rods 30 are extended from the same points on the tongue obliquely, downwardly, and rearwardly to each wrist or supporting-shaft portion 5 of the arms 4.

In order to provide a swinging frame with which the plows are connected and whereby they are suspended when elevated, a pair of socket castings 31, one at each side, are mounted rigidly upon the main shaft 1, each having a vertical socket portion 32, within which is seated the front and downturned end of a swinging arm 33. Each arm 33 is provided at its rear end with a vertically-upturned portion 34, upon which is mounted a sleeve-casting 35, forming a support, to which is attached a spreader bar or strap 36, which extends between the pair of swinging arms 33 and connects the latter, so that they move together. The spreader-bar 36 is provided at each end with a series of holes 37, which enables the castings to be connected therewith at varying distances apart, and thus to vary the distance between the plows, which are suspended from said castings, as will now be described. Each of the castings 35 is provided at one side with a vertically-arranged flat socket portion 38, adapted to receive the upper end of a flat suspension-bar 39, which is secured within the socket by means of a transverse through-bolt 40, the internal shape of said sockets being such as to fit closely the side margins of the suspension-bar, but being made downwardly flaring as to their front and rear sides, so as to hold said suspensionbar substantially rigid with reference to lateral movement, but to permit it to swing forwardly and rearwardly to a limited extent. (See detail Fig. 7.) At their lower ends said suspension-bars 39 extend through similar sockets 40, mounted upon space-bars 41, which extend between the two beam members 42 43 of each plow, the internal size of said sockets being such as to permit the bars to slide readily therethrough, while holding the plows from substantial movement laterally with reference to their respective bars. Upon the upper end of the upturned portion 34 of each swinging bar 33 is also mounted a second sleeve-casting 44, having formed integrally therewith a ratchet-segment 45, carrying a lever 46, pivoted thereto in the usual manner and provided with the usual springratchet 47. Each lever 46 is provided with a forwardly-extending bent arm 48, terminating in a hook, with which is engaged a suspension-chain 49,which extends thence downwardly to and is connected with the plowbeam, a coiled spring 50 being preferably interposed in said chain so as to support the plow yieldingly.

51 designates the drivers seat, which is mounted upon a pair of parallel bars 52,which extend forwardly and are connected at their forward ends with the tongue by means of a casting 53, secured to the under side of the tongue, said casting being provided at each side with recesses to receive the seat-bars and the latter being secured therein by means of a through-bolt 54, which extends through the bars at-a point in front of the casting. Said bars are also supported from the rear end of the tongue at a point intermediate of their length by means of a suspension-bolt 55, carrying at its lower end a cross-head 56, across the upper side of which said seat-bars rest. By means of this construction the seat may be readily adjusted forwardly or backwardly by simply loosening the bolt 54 sufliciently to relieve the clamping pressure upon the casting 53, whereupon the seat may be shifted in either direction and clamped in position by tightening the bolt. Each plow is provided upon one of its beams with a foot-loop 57, conveniently located for the driver sitting upon the seat, thus enabling him to guide the plows without the use of his hands; In order, however, that the driver may, if found desirable, manipulate the plows by hand, a hand-lever 58 is provided, having its forward end pivotally connected with the rear end of the tongue, conveniently by being made forked and arranged to embrace the suspension-bolt 55. From this point of connection with the bolt 55 it extends rearwardly over the central part of the spreader-bar, with which latter it is conveniently connected by being provided with an aperture which engages an upstanding stud 59, carried by said bar, its extreme handle-end portion extending to a point convenient of access to the driver.

The operation of the machine constructed as described has been sufficiently indicated in connection with the description of the mechanism to be perfectly obvious and need not, therefore, be repeated. It may be noted, however, that the oscillation of the crank-arms ll, brought forward by the raising and lowering of cultivator plow-frames, operates to oscillate the main arch into a position more or less inclined to the vertical and to thereby raise and lower the main frame, carried by the upper part of said arch, bodily-that is to say, when the plows are being raised the arch-arms 2will be thrust rearwardly relatively to the pivotal axis formed by the connection of the upper part of the arch with the main frame, thereby inclining said arms farther away from a vertical position, and thus lowering the frame as a whole. The drivers weight therefore assists in raising the plows. On the other hand, when the plows are lowered the arch will be straightened up to a certain extent, resulting in raising the frame bodily, and this movement will be facilitated by the draft of the team, which, acting through the draw-bars 24, tends to draw the lower ends of the arch-arms forwardly. Inasmuch as the connecting-links 12, whereby the crank-arms are connected with the arch-arms, are adjustable up and down uponsaid arch-arms the mechanism maybe readily adjusted to properly counterbalance or operate with drivers of widely different weights. In this same connection'it is to be noted that the position of the drivers seat relatively to the main shaft 1 or pivotal axis of the machineframe may be readily adjusted, as hereinbefore described, either to secure a proper balance of the machine or to locate the seat in proper relation to the several hand-levers.

That feature of the machine which enables the plows to be guided laterally freely and to maintain a straight horizontal movement when thus guided I regard as a feature of much importance, for the reason that the plows are thereby kept at a uniform depth in the soil, and therefore perform their work uniformly. By means of the peculiar interconnection between the spreader-frame and plow-frames the latter are free to be guided laterally, but are compelled to move together or maintain a uniform distance apart, While at the same time each plow is free to rise or fall independently of the other and independently of the control of the spreaderframe.

The provision of the hand-lever as an auxiliary for guiding the plows I consider a feature of importance, especially when so constructed, as in the present instance, that the lever may be instantly detached when not required.

It will be obvious that many of the features of improvement of the present machine are applicable to walking-cultivators' as well as to the type herein shown. It will be further obvious that the details of construction whereby I carry out the several objects of the invention may be modified without departing from the invention, and I do not, therefore, wish to be limited to the details shown except to the extent that they are made the subject of specific claims.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a riding-cultivator the combination with the main frame and the pair of main supporting-wheels,of a main arch uniting said wheels with the main frame and the arms whereof are capable of oscillating forwardly and backwardly to raise and lower the frame, a transverse bearing-support held against substantial approach toward the upper part of said arch,a plow-frame connected with said bearing-support so as to oscillate in a vertical plane thereon, a crank member connected to swing with said plow in its vertical oscillations and a link connecting said crank member with a part of the arch remote from its upper part, whereby raising or lowering the plow-frame operates to oscillate the archarms, for the purpose set forth.

2. In a riding-cultivator, the combination with the main frame and the pair of main supporting-wheels,of a main arch uniting said wheels with the main frame, the wheel-supporting arms whereof are pivotally connected with said main frame to oscillate forwardly and back-wardly and are inclined from the vertical, transverse bearing supports held against substantial approach toward the upper part of said arch, a pair of plow-frames connected'with said bearing-support so as to oscillate in a vertical plane thereon, and each 7 provided with a pivot-joint whereby it is free to swing laterally, crank members connected to swing with said plows in their vertical oscillations and links connecting said crank members with the arms of the arch at points remote from its upper part, whereby raising or lowering the plow-frame operates to oscillate the arch-arms, for the purpose set forth.

3. In a riding-cultivator, the combination with the tongue and the pair of main supporting-wheels, of a main arch uniting said wheels with the tongue and the arms whereof are capable of oscillation forwardly and backwardly about the axis formed by the upper part of said arch, said arch-arms being inclined obliquely upwardly and forwardly from their points of connection with the wheels, a pair of obliquely downwardly and forwardly extending arms located in front of said arch and rigid with the main frame, each provided at its lower and forward end with a transversely-extending bearing-support, a crank-sleeve mounted upon each of said bearing-supports,each provided with a crank-arm, links connecting said crank-arms with the arch-arms at the respective sides, a plowframe connected with each crank-sleeve so as to positively oscillate the latter when raised or lowered, a pivotal joint having its axis arranged at right angles to the axis of the cran ksleeve connecting each plow-frame with its respective crank-sleeve and means'for raising and lowering the plow-frames for the purpose set forth.

4. In a riding-cultivator, the combination with the tongue and the pair of main supporting-wheels, ofa main arch uniting said Wheels with the tongue and the arms whereof are capable of oscillation forwardly and backwardly about the axis formed by the upper part of said arch, said arch-arms being inclined obliquely upwardly and forwardly from their points of connection with the wheels, a pair of obliquely downwardly and forwardly extending arms located in front of said arch and rigid with the main frame, each provided at its lower and forward end with a transverselyextending bearing-support, a crank-sleeve mounted upon each of said bearing-supports, each provided with a crankarm, links connecting said crank-arms with the arch-arms at the respective sides, a plowframe connected with each crank-sleeve so as to positively oscillate the latter when raised or lowered, a pivotal joint having its axis arranged at right angles to the axis of the cranksleeve connecting each plow-frame with its respective crank-sleeve, and draft-bars at the respective sides of the machine connected with the draft-rigging and extending thence rearwardly to and connected with the archarms at or near the lower ends of the latter.

5. In a riding-cultivator, the combination with the tongue and the pair of main supporting-wheels, of a main arch uniting said wheels with the tongue and the arms whereof are capable of oscillation forwardly and backwardly about the axis formed by the upper part of said arch, said arch-arms being inclined obliquely upwardly and forwardly from their points of connection with the wheels, a pair of obliquely downwardly and forwardly extending arms located in front of said arch and rigid with the main frame, each provided at its lower and forward end with a transversely-extending bearing-support, a crank-sleeve mounted upon each of said bearing-supports, each provided with a crankarm, links connecting said crank-arms with the arch-arms at the respective sides, a plowframe connected with each crank-sleeve so as to positively oscillate the latter when raised or lowered, a pivotal joint having its axis arranged at right angles tothe axis of the cranksleeve connecting each plow-frame with its respective crank-sleeve, a draft-riggin g comprising a doubl'etree connected with the tongue, a vertically-arranged link connected with each end of said doubletree, draft-bars connecting thelower ends of said verticallyarranged links with the lower portions of the respective arch-arms and singletrees connected with the vertically-arranged links at points intermediate the length of the latter, substantially as set forth.

6. In a riding-cultivator, the combination with the tongue,and the pair of main supporting-wheels, of a main arch uniting said wheels with the tongue and comprising a transversely-extending main shaft rigidly secured to the tongue and a pair of arms pivotally connected with said main shaft and each provided at its swinging end with a wheel-journal, said arch-arms being arranged to extend obliquely downwardly and rearwardly from said main shaft, a pair of forwardly and downwardly extending supporting-arms rigidly connected with said main shaft and provided at their lower ends with outturned bearing-supports, crank-sleeves mounted on each of said bearing-supports so as to oscillate thereon, provided with a crank-arm, coupling-castings having splined engagement with said crank-sleeves so as to oscillate positively with the latter while capable of adjustment endwise thereon, plow-frames pivotally connected with said coupling-castings by means of pivots having their axes arranged at right angles to the axes of the journal-sleeves, links connecting the crankarms with the lower parts of the arch-arms and draft-bars connected with the lower portions of said arch-arms, substantially as set forth.

7. In a riding-cultivator, the combination with the tongue,and the pair of main supporting-wheels, of a main arch uniting said wheels with the tongue and comprising a transversely-extending main shaft rigidly secured to the tongue and a pair of arms p'ivotally connected with said main shaft and each provided at its swinging end with a wheel-journal, said arch-arms being arranged to extend obliquely downwardly and rearwardly from said main shaft, a pair of forwardly and downwardly extending supporting-arms rigidly connected with said main shaft and provided at their lower ends with outturned bearing-supports, brace-rods connected with the forward ends of said supporting-arms and extending thence obliquely forwardly and upwardly to and connected with the tongue at the respective sides thereof, cranksleeves mounted on each of said bearingsupports so as to oscillate thereon, provided with a crank-arm, coupling-castings having splined engagement with said crank-sleeves so as to oscillate positively with the latter while capable of adjustment endwise thereon, plow-frames pivotally connected with said coupling-castings by means of pivots having their axes arranged at right angles to the axes of the journal-sleeves, links connecting the crank-arms with the lower parts of the arch-arms and draft-bars connected with the lower portions of said arch-arms, substantially as set forth.

8. In a cultivator, the combination with the main frame, the supporting-wheels thereof and a pair of plows, of means for suspending and controlling said plows comprising a spreader -frame mounted upon said main frame to reciprocate laterally in a horizontal plane and suspension devices supporting said plows from said spreader-frame, whereby the plows are maintained at a uniform depth while guided laterally.

9. Ina cultivator, the combination with the main frame, the supporting-wheels thereof, and a pair of plows, of means for suspending and controlling said plows comprising a pair of swinging arms severally pivoted to oscillate in horizontal planes about vertical axes, said arms being positively confined against downward movement within their said pivotal bearings and suspension devices connecting said plows severally with the swinging ends of said swinging arms.

10. In a cultivator, the combination with the main frame, the supporting-wheels thereof and a pair of plows, means for suspending and controlling said plows, consisting of a spreader-frame, comprising a pair of swinging arms pivotally connected at their forward ends to oscillate in horizontal planes and connected with each other at their rearends by means of a transversely-extending spreaderbar having pivotal connection with vertically-disposed portions of said spreader-bars, whereby said arms are held to oscillate in unison, and suspension devices connecting said plows with said spreader-frame, substantially as set forth.

11. In a cultivator,the combination with the main frame, the supporting-wheels thereof and a pair of plows, means for suspending and controlling said plows, consisting of a spreader-frame, comprising a pair of swinging arms pivotally connected at their forward ends to oscillate in horizontal planes and connected with each other at their rear ends by means of a transversely-extending spreaderbar having pivotal connection with vertically-disposcd portions of said swinging arms, whereby said arms are held to oscillate in unison, and suspension devices severally connecting said plows with said spreader-frame, each suspension device comprising a suspension-bar held rigid against lateral oscillation while capable of oscillation forwardly and rearwardly at its lower end, whereby said plows are maintained at a substantially fixed. distance apart, substantially as set forth.

12. In a cultivator,the combination with the main frame, the supporting-wheels thereof, and a pair of plows, of means for supporting and manipulating said plows, comprising a spreader-frame embracing a pair of swinging arms, pivotally connected at their forward ends to oscillate in horizontal Y planes and provided at their opposite swinging ends with vertical. journal portions, liftinglevers mounted upon the respective journal portions of said swinging arms, suspension devices connecting the swinging ends of said swinging arms with the respective plows and a spreader -bar connecting said swinging arms, substantially as set forth.

13. In a riding-cultiyator, the combination with the main frame and the pair of main supporting-wheels, of a main arch, uniting said wheels with the main frame and the arms whereof are capable of oscillation forwardly and backwardly to raise and lower the frame, a transverse bearing-support held against substantial approach toward the upper part of said arch, a pair of plow-frames connected with said bearing-supports so as to oscillate in a vertical plane thereon and each provided with a pivot-joint whereby it is free to swing laterally, crank members connected to swing with said plows in their vertical oscillations, links connecting said crank members with the arms of the arch at points remote from its upper part and a drivers seat mounted upon said frame in rear of the point of pivotal connection of the arch with the main frame, whereby the weight of the driver in part counterbalances the weight of the plows, for the purpose set forth.

14. In a riding-cultivator, the combination with the main frame and the pair of main supporting-wheels, of a main arch uniting said wheels with the main frame and the arms whereof are capable of oscillation forwardly and backwardly to raise and lower the frame, transverse bearing-supports rigidly mounted upon the front lower portion of the main frame, a pair of plow-frames connected with said bearing-supports so as to oscillate in vertical planes thereon and each provided with a pivot-joint extending at right angles to said bearing-support whereby it is free to swing laterally, crank members connected to swing with said plows in their vertical oscillations, links connecting said crank members with the respective arms of the arch at points remote from its upper part, and a drivers seat mounted upon said frame in rear of the point of pivotal connection, of the arch-arms with the main frame, said seat being adjustable longitudinally upon said main frame, as and for the purpose set forth.

15. In a riding-cultivator, the combination with the main frame and the pair of main supporting-wheels, of a pair of plows connected with said frame and means for suspending and guiding said plows, comprising aspreaderframe mounted to reciprocate laterally in a straight and definite horizontal plane, con- SAMUEL H. TINSMAN.

\Vitnesses:

J. D. VAN BUREN, F. ADELBERT HEAD. 

